Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-30

The mystery which has surrounded the fish,
cries negotiations between our government and
the British Is in a dispe.led by the publ
cation OF the names OF the gentlemen selected TO
represent the United states. DR.. ANGEL is proba-
bly, chosen because, on lis special mission to
China some years ago. ne proved his ability as
Z diplomat. Mr.. Putnam is less wide
ly known. He IS native OF Bath,
lawyer OF large practice and ad-
United ability, and has taken active part in the
discussion OF questions connected with the fish,
cries. He has been mayor OF Portland. and was
nominated by Governor Plaisted Tor Judge OF the
state supreme court to I'LL vacancy, but was not
confirmed. In 1854 he was nominated for supreme
judge TO succeed Judge Symonds, but shared the
fate OF the rest OF the democratic ticket, which
stood a doubly bad chance owing to the Presi-
Genital election then impending.
Henry George has discovered and announces
that votes are actually bought and sold at city
elections. ana that they command from I'VE to
thirty dollars apiece in hot contest The fact OF
corruption in the elections OF great cities has
long been admitted, and has ceased to be
an issue The remedy for the evil is what now
concerns the people Popular suffrage In the
choice OF those who are TO administer the finan-
cial Affairs OF large cities has proved q failure
The difficulty has been TO adopt plan which
would give municipalities reliable financial
agents, and still be free from objection as IN
American in its limitations upon suffrage. The
matter is settled by the Constitution for the Dis
trict OF Columbia, which, while deprived OF vaua-
bic and substantial rights, is also happily de-
prived OF the corruption OF ordinary municipal
elections and government.
The prohibition amendment has been defeated
In Tennessee This was not the fault OF the wo-
inen. however, who turned out in immense num-
hers and set their felloweitzens the sterner
an example OF activity at the polls which ought to
put the stay-at-home gruInblers 10 shame. They
worked hard, and they never gave UP till the last
ballot-boA had been closed and carried away The
repeated defeats OF the prohibition party do not
AFFECT inJurtously the general principle for which
II contends They stimulate the temperance
movement, rather; for those persons who do not
believe IN prohibition. but who do believe in a
stringent license law, are encouraged by discover
Ing how strong the feeling against free rum Is In
every intelligent community.
The estimates Of the school trustees disclose the
extent OF the ctys need OF additional school build
fngs. From lack OF adequate accommodations
damp and DARK rented rooms, utterly UNIT for
are In some instances occupied and In other cases
the halliday system, by which the youngest pupils
are robbed OF haf their school time furnishes un-
satisfactory relief. The lowest and highest grades
unite In implorirg for mere room. The trustees
declare that sixteen new eight-room buildings are
needed. The Commissioners can hardly DO too
much 10 bring this subject distinctly before Con-
gress, and II the same spirit prevails In that body
as at last session prompt and favorable action may
be confidently expected.
Whatever may be thought OF the general eou-se
Of reasoning followed by Commissioner Oberiy in
his letter 10 the Illinois Democratic Association.
there Is one part OF IL with which nobody can ma
fault When he says that the democrats ought at
least TO be consistent, and not initiate conduct
which they censured so severely in republicans q
lew years ago. he gets upon ground where nobody
can assail his logic. There may be two sides to
the question OF the legality OF partisan clubs or.
ganized within the civil service but there is not
even question 10 divide on as 10 the improprtety
OF claiming that one party may do something
which another party may not.
IL is an unfortunate thing that the last echoes
Of the centennial celebration at Philadelphia must
have mingled with them the din OF sectartan con.
troversy. As all religious denominations dwell
undisturDed under the broad nag OF the Union
and are equally interested In maintaining the re-
public IN It's integrity, exercises commemorative
Of the framing OF the Constitution should be OBJ
served by special self-ressraint and harmony
among them and not by bitter wrangling.
The Grand Army encampuasnt's resolve To rec
ommend and work for certain pension Legislation
does not appear to be unanimous although IL must
stand on the record as a yose OF the order as :
whole. How the comrades Individually Will ac
when bills In accordance with these recommenda
lions come before Congress next winter remains Il
be seen. Prophecies In this lire have not proved
70 be worth great deal heretofore.
GzasH LOCKWOOD & Co.